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- Important Changes for 1992
-
- This section summarizes important tax changes that took effect since this
- publication was last revised. These changes are discussed in more detail
- throughout this publication.
-
- These changes are also discussed in Publication 553, Highlights of 1992 Tax
- Changes.
-
- The tax tables may now be used by individuals with taxable income of less
- than $100,000. Individuals with taxable income of $100,000 or more should
- continue to use the tax rate schedules.
-
- Estimated tax payments - limit on use of prior year's tax. Beginning in 1992
- certain taxpayers (other than farmers and fishermen) may not be able to use
- 100% of their prior year's tax to figure their current year's estimated tax.
-
- Earned income credit. To claim the credit for 1992, both your earned income
- and your adjusted gross income must be less than $22,370. The maximum basic
- credit is $1,324 with one qualifying child and $1,384 with two or more
- qualifying children. In addition you can elect to claim a supplemental
- credit of up to $376 if at least one qualifying child was under one year
- old. You can also elect to claim an additional credit of up to $451 for
- premiums paid for health insurance covering one or more qualifying children.
- If you are an employee, your employer can pay you an advance earned income
- credit up tp $1,324.
-
- Filing requirements. Generally, the amount of income you can have before
- you are required to file a return has been increased. See Chapter 1.
-
- Higher exemption amount. For 1992, you are allowed a $2,300 deduction for each
- exemption to which you are entitled. However, your exemption amount could be
- phased out if you have high income. See Chapter 3.
-
- Standard deduction. For most people, the standard deduction has increased.
- Because of this increase, it may benefit you to take the standard deduction
- for 1992 even though you itemized deductions in past years. See Chapter 20.
-
- Limit on itemized deductions. Some of your itemized deductions may be limited
- if your adjusted gross income is more than $105,250 ($52,625 if you are
- married filing separately). See Chapter 21.
-
- Standard mileage rate. For 1992, the standard mileage rate for the business
- use of a car is 28 cents a mile for all business miles. See Chapter 28.
-
- New schedule C-EZ for self employed taxpayers. Sole proprietors with $25,000
- or less of gross receipts and not more than $2,000 of expenses may be able to
- use this new form. If so, it will take the place of schedule C.
-
- Extensions of expiring tax items. The following items, scheduled to expire
- December 31, 1991, were extended through June 30, 1992.
-
- ∙ Exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance (see Chapter 6)
-
- ∙ Exclusion for employer-provided group legal services (see Chapter 6)
-
- ∙ Deduction for 25% of the health insurance costs of self-employed
- individuals (see Chapter 22)
-
- Recapture of federal subsidy. If you financed your main home after 1990 under
- a federally-subsidized program (loans from tax-exempt qualified mortgage bonds
- or loans based on mortgage credit certificates), you may have to recapture (by
- increasing your tax) all or part of the benefit you received from that program
- when you sell or otherwise dispose of your home. See Chapter 16.
-
- Tax rates for 1992. There are three tax rates (15%, 28%, and 31%). See
- Chapter 31.
-
- Tax indexing. The Tax Table and Tax Rate Schedules have been adjusted so that
- inflation will not increase your tax.
-
- Maximum tax rate on capital gains. The maximum tax rate on net capital gains
- is 28%. See Chapter 17.
-
- Self-employment tax. In 1992, the maximum net earnings subject to the social
- security tax portion of self-employment tax (12.4%) has increased to $55,500,
- while the maximum net earnings subject to the Medicare tax portion (2.9%) has
- increased to $130,200. See Chapter 31.
-
- Social security and Medicare taxes. In 1992, the maximum wages subject to
- social security tax (6.2%) has increased to $55,500, while the maximum wages
- subject to Medicare tax (1.45%) has increased to $130,200. See Chapter 31.
-
- Some areas in Florida and Louisiana affected by hurricane Andrew and some
- areas in Hawaii affected by hurricane Iniki have been declared disaster
- areas. Losses in these areas may be deducted in the prior year by filing
- an ammended return. Or they may be deducted on the 1992 return. For more
- information see Publication 547, Nonbusiness Disasters, Casualties, and
- Thefts.
-
- Pending legislation. Proposed changes to the tax law could affect your 1992
- tax. If these proposals are enacted, you may need to adjust your withholding
- or estimated tax payments to avoid owing a penalty for underpayment of
- estimated tax. See Chapter 5 for highlights of the items that may be changed.
-